Carbon dioxide underwater delivery device and supplementation system

ABSTRACT

A delivery device and system to supplement CO 2  in an underwater environment without the need for electricity or the use of compressed CO 2 . The device consists of a container containing a biological organism such as mycelium and including an exit portal for CO 2  to enter the underwater environment. The device may also incorporate a separation device to delay and control the flow of CO 2 . The system requires the device to be held in place through a securing point in the underwater environment. The minimum requirements for the device are described, but in certain instances it will be preferably used with a double-bag or an outer shell housing to protect or aesthetically conceal the placement underwater. The use of this device and system to supplement carbon dioxide in water will span many industries and applications. It will assist with mosquito trapping. It will also supplement CO 2  in underwater growing environments.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) andalso 35 U.S.C. § 21 to U.S. provisional patent application number62/485,772 entitles “Carbon Dioxide Underwater Delivery Device andSupplementation System” filed on Apr. 14, 2017. The entire disclosure ofthis patent application is hereby incorporated into this applicationdisclosure by reference.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not applicable.

INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to carbon dioxide supplementation in waterenvironments.

2. Description of the Related Art

It is known that insects such as mosquitos are attracted to carbondioxide (abbreviated herein as CO₂) exhaled by humans and animals. It isalso well known that mosquitos and other insects spread disease betweenanimals. In recent years the diseases of concern include West Nile virusand Zika Virus both of which are transmitted to humans by mosquitos. Tocontrol the spread of these viruses, humans have sought to controlpopulations of the insects. In some instances, municipalities havesought to eliminate any excess standing water which is known to serve asthe breeding ground for mosquitos. More aggressive measures arebeginning to be used where water reservoirs are actually used to attractthe insects to come and lay their eggs. Once the eggs are in place theseareas are treated in a manner to destroy the eggs. In order to attractthe insects to the desired reservoirs where destruction of the offspringwill ensue, researchers are seeking ways to make the reservoirs mostattractive to the insects. Because mosquitos are attracted to carbondioxide, the increased output of carbon dioxide in those reservoirs willattract mosquitos. The problem is how to enhance carbon dioxide outputfrom those reservoirs. The only solutions available today include theuse of propane burners to produce CO₂. CO₂ produced by sucrose (puretable sugar) fermented by yeast is another attractant that is used tolure mosquitos towards a trap. Both of these options have drawbacks. Thepropane burner is expensive, potentially dangerous due to fire risk andis not an environmentally sound choice. Propane must also be continuallypurchased throughout the mosquito season. Fermented attractants onlywork well on a small scale and continuously must be changed every 2weeks throughout the mosquito season and are simply not practical forthe scale needed to address the current disease control demands.

The primary way to provide CO₂ for aquatic plants in aquariums has beenthe use of regulators and compressed CO₂ in cylinders. This is veryexpensive and can lead to problems if the regulator fails. For generalinformation about environmental conditions for aquariums, thisbackground incorporates the information at the web sitehttp://www.myaquariumclub.com/water-chemistry-parameters-gh-and-kh-8815.htmlby this reference.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a device to deliver CO₂ in an underwaterenvironment without the need for electricity or the use of compressedCO₂. The device comprises a container holding a respirating organismtogether with a food source and growth substrate. For example, thepresent invention could employ the mycelia mass, mycelia with a foodsubstrate, or bacteria with similar properties to mycelia prepared withmethods such as those described in the inventors' family of patentapplications that includes U.S. Pat. No. 9,720,196 B2. The devicefurther comprises a portal for CO₂ to exit the device and enter theunderwater environment and such portal may comprise nothing more than amicroporous breather patch or may comprise additional components incertain embodiments. In one embodiment, the device consists of onedouble-lined, double-filtered bag with a filter on each bag liner, thefilters preferably facing in opposite directions. If two standalone bagsare joined to create this embodiment, then three seals will be requiredto seal the device: The first seal closes both bags on the bottom sothat they share a mutual bottom seal; the second seal closes the top ofthe inner liner; and, the third seal closes the top of the outer liningof the bag. The device further comprises a separation apparatus such asan external sealing clamp in order to provide selective sealing and toselectively delay and control the flow of CO₂. The device also comprisesa securing component to hold the carbon dioxide supplementation systemin place in the underwater environment. The device can be used alone orin conjunction with an outer shell to house the container. Such anexternal shell segregates or disguises the device for protection and/oraesthetic purposes. In embodiments incorporating an external shell, alsocalled a hard-shell case, the underwater carbon dioxide supplementationdevice includes an interior, soft-shelled bladder for holding therespirating mass of organisms and food, and the external case is ahard-shelled container which receives, protects and masks thesoft-shelled bladder. In the hard-shell case variations, single ordouble bags embodiments may be utilized as the soft bladder, but at aminimum, the device still includes a minimum of one gaseous interchangeportal between a body of water and the respirating mass preventing waterfrom reaching the respirating mass.

In general terms, this underwater CO₂ production device can be used toenhance the underwater levels of carbon dioxide. The production of CO₂in an underwater environment will be used to benefit an underwaterenvironment by producing carbon dioxide utilized during thephotosynthesis cycles of aquatic plants. Aquatic plants, liketerrestrial plants, use the process of photosynthesis to draw in carbon,produce chlorophyll and release oxygen.

The device and system are also useful in assisting to luring flyinginsects towards a water body where they will lay eggs. In this instance,the water body is serving as a trap where any eggs laid will bedestroyed. Known means of egg destruction include water circulation. Thesupplemented carbon dioxide travels into the water body and is emittedinto the ambient atmosphere, similar to the human breath, attracts theinsects,

Similarly, the device can also be used to create carbon dioxide in anunderwater environment to enhance stagnant water to attract water egglaying insects, such as mosquitos. The purposeful attraction activitiesare a means by which humans can manipulate the insects for the purposesof trapping and killing the insects' eggs and thereby better controllinginsect populations which in turn curbs the spread of blood-bornediseases.

The foregoing has outlined, in general, the aspects of the invention andis to serve as an aid to better understanding the more complete detaileddescription which follows. In reference to such, there is to be a clearunderstanding that the present invention is not limited to the method ordetail of construction, fabrication, material, or application of usedescribed and illustrated herein. Any other variation of fabrication,use, or application should be considered apparent as an alternativeembodiment of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following drawings further describe by illustration, the advantagesand objects of the present invention. Each drawing is referenced bycorresponding figure reference characters within the “DETAILEDDESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION” section to follow.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a double bag embodiment of the carbondioxide delivery device and system installed in an aquarium as anexample of an underwater environment.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the carbon dioxide delivery device andsystem of the present invention where a double bag soft bladder isinserted into a hard-shell case and installed in an underwaterenvironment.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a single bag embodiment of the carbondioxide delivery device and system installed in an aquarium as anexample of an underwater environment.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a hard-shell case of the presentinvention separated from its lid and the soft-shell bladder which servesas the container, in this instance a double bag embodiment with a clipis shown.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an example of a single bag, sealedcontainer of the present invention ready for insertion into a hard shellsuch as that shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an example of a single bag, sealedcontainer of the present invention, having a clip attached and ready foruse as shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 7 is a side view of an example of a single bag, sealed container ofthe present invention, having a clip attached and ready for use as shownin FIG. 3.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an example of a double bag container ofthe present invention ready for insertion into a hard shell such as thatshown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 9 is a side view of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a front view of FIG. 8.

FIG. 11 is a rear view of FIG. 8.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an example of a double bag container ofthe present invention, having a clip attached and ready for use as shownin FIG. 1.

FIG. 13 is a front view of FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is a rear view of FIG. 12.

FIG. 15 is a side view of FIG. 12.

FIG. 16 is a front view of an example of a double bag container of thepresent invention, having a clip attached over part of the breatherpatches.

FIG. 17 is a front view of an example of a double bag container of thepresent invention, having a clip attached below the breather patches.

FIG. 18 is a flow chart describing the technique by which the double bagembodiment with a triple seal is created.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference to FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, an underwater carbon dioxidedelivery device 1 is shown. The underwater device 1 is comprised of asealed container 3 with a breather patch 8 and containing a respiratingmass 9 which is formed of a mixture of respirating organisms with a foodand growth substrate. The breather patch 8 is a gaseous interchangeportal which is also referred to herein as a filter or a microporousfilter because while it has sufficient filtering capabilities to allowcarbon dioxide molecules to leave the sealed container 3 and oxygenmolecules to enter the sealed container 3, it also prevents whole watermolecules or microbes or other contaminants from entering the sealedcontainer 3. Finally, as illustrated by example in

FIGS. 1-3, an attachment mechanism secures the device 1 underwater andthe installation of the device according to the present inventioncreates a system to supplement carbon dioxide in an underwaterenvironment.

Each of FIGS. 1 2 and 3 illustrates an embodiment of the device 1,according to the present invention, installed in an underwater setting.Water is expressed by the gray shading in the tank reservoir 7 and thewater surface 19 indicates the level of the water in FIG. 1, adouble-bag bag embodiment 18 of the device 1 is installed in theunderwater setting. In this illustration, the entire double bagembodiment 18 of the container is shown submerged underwater in thetransparent aquarium tank 7. FIG. 2. shows a hard-shell variation of thepresent invention where a double bag embodiment 18 is inserted into abox 10 with a lid 11. Although not separately illustrated, thehard-shell variation will also be useful in conjunction with the singlebag embodiment 107. FIG. 3 illustrates a single bag embodiment 107 ofthe container where one layer is sufficient to meet the objectives ofthe present invention for some applications and particularly in tame andcontained environments such as the illustrated aquarium. In FIGS. 1-3,bubbles 15 depict the movement of carbon dioxide from the device 1toward the water surface 19 where it will be expelled to the atmosphere.Plants in the water environment are also portrayed in FIGS. 1 and 3,and, as discussed herein, aquatic plants benefit from thesupplementation of carbon dioxide to their environment. The filter 8 orfilters of the submerged container 3, permit oxygen to reach therespirating mass 9, which mass is comprised of carbon dioxide expellingorgan is such as mycelia) and a sterilized growth substrate where theorganisms grow and reproduce as they consume the food also in thesubstrate.

With continuing reference to FIGS. 1-3, an example of a means to attachthe device 1 underwater is illustrated. The mass 9 of mycelia andsubstrate will naturally tend to float toward the water surface asillustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3. The combination is clearly floating in thewater he C-hook 4 is illustrated at full extension. Due to the samerespirating mass 9 as well as sometimes trapped air, the encasedversions of the present invention will also tend to float as depicted inFIG. 2. For these reasons, the container should be secured in the waterreservoir 7 in some fashion. Whether employing the single r double bagembodiment, a clip 2 is useful to assist in securing the container 3 tothe bottom of the tank 7 in the examples shown. In FIGS. 1 and 3, theclip 2 is attached via a hook 4 to the ring 5 extending from a suctioncup 6 which suction cup is attached to the bottom of the aquarium 7. InFIG. 2, the hard-shell 10 and lid 11 are shown with the C-hook 4 and thetie-down accommodation 13 shown suspending the device from the suctioncup 6 and its ring 5. When the device is employed in non-aquariumenvironments, a suction cup 6 may not function and another method ofsecuring the device underwater must be employed. While the container 3is anchored to or near the bottom of the water reservoir in theillustrated example, in other applications, an arm extending over theside of and into a water reservoir may serve as a means of underwaterattachment. In larger reservoirs of water, weights, anchors or screwscould be used as a point of attachment. Any means that will hold thedevice 1, at least up to the level of the breather patch 8, under thesurface 19 of the water will suffice. While a C-hook is illustrated, anS-hook may also serve this function as would a coupling such ascarabiner or similar device.

In FIG. 4, the container 3 of organisms is located next to the hardshell 10 that will receive it. Although a double bag 18 is illustratedin this figure, a single bag 107 may be preferred where the hard case isproviding additional support and protection. While this figureillustrates the clip 2 still on the bag, the clip 2 in this embodimentis removed from the bag prior to being inserted into the hard shell 10.With continuing reference to FIG. 4, illustrated below the hard-shellreceiver is a lid 11 which lid is used in this embodiment of the device1 to enclose the container. The lid 11 is optional; however, it servesas containment as well as attachment purposes in this embodiment andcould also serve aesthetic objectives for certain applications. Withreference to FIGS. 2 and 4, the device may have an outer shell with alid 11 and if so, the lid 11 must have venting holes 12.

As discussed herein, an external hard shell 10 will be desirable forsome applications and in some environments. After preparing a double bagembodiment and acquiring a hard-shell receiver as shown in FIG. 4, thenext step to install this embodiment is to remove the delayed activationseal which is illustrated as an exterior clip, also called a clamp 2.Once the clamp 2 is removed, the container is placed within thehard-shell case 10 and the lid 11 is affixed to the case 10 as shown inFIG. 2. In FIG. 2, the internal breather patch 81 and external breatherpatch 82 are visible through the transparent case but the case couldalso be opaque. In spite of the snug fit within the case, the containerand the breather patches still maintain enough room to allow for thefree exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide through the vented lid 11.FIG. 4 shows the apertures or air holes 12 bored through the lid 11.Other than the holes, the lid 11 closes the bag receiving compartment ofthe hard case 10. A tie-down accommodation 13 is affixed to the lid 11of the case and in this instance, it is a rust-resistant ring. In lessrefined embodiments, the tie-down accommodation 13 of the hard case 10could be as simple as having two additional holes drilled through thelid and a cable tie (also called a zip tie) threaded through the holesand snipped to fit in a snug loop on the lid 11. With continuingreference to FIG. 4, an addition of a hook 4 is one means by which thetie-down accommodation 13 may be combined to latch or attach the caseand the enclosed container at a level below the surface of the water

In FIG. 5, the most simple, soft-shelled bladder holding a respiratingmass is illustrated.

Instead of the double-bag being installed in the hard case as shown inFIG. 4, this soft-shelled bladder could be installed to keep costs downand meet the objectives of the present invention in a simpler manner.The single bag container has a single bottom seal 103 and one top seal106. The hard-shelled container would receive and protect even thesingle bag, soft-shelled bladder in most water conditions. As comparedwith FIG. 4, the single gaseous interchange portal between a body ofwater and the respirating mass prevents water from reaching therespirating mass. The respirating mass 9 must stay dry to avoidcontamination and organism death. Any of the described sealed containersinclusive of the breather patch 8 of the present invention does notpermit the contents of the bag to get wet. Water molecules are too largeto penetrate the microbial filter 8 of the present invention andtherefore are excluded from the interior space of the container 3. Whilea single bag embodiment 107 will suffice in most environments, thedouble bag embodiment 18 will provide extra insurance against waterpenetration due to bag deterioration in adverse water conditions. Eachof the bags employed in the double bag embodiment has its own microbialfilter 8. When the bags are combined to create the double bagembodiment, the filters are differentiated by their location and arereferred to herein as the interior filter 81 and the exterior filter 82(see, e.g., FIGS. 9 and 15).

Turning to FIGS. 8-11, the double bag embodiment 18 is shown outside ofa water environment and without a clip 2. The double bag embodiment 18is illustrated with a clip 2, and out of the water in FIGS. 12-15. Theclip 2 may be used in various positions on the container 3 as shown bythe examples of the clip 2 installed at various points over top andbelow the filters of a double bag embodiment in FIGS. 16 and 17. Thebreather patch 8 of each container 3 of the present invention is amicrobial filter that allows oxygen to enter the device 1 and carbondioxide to leave device 1. FIGS. 8-17 illustrate an embodiment of thepresent invention with a double-walled clear plastic bag 18 having twofilters 8. When this embodiment is formed according to the methodsdescribed below, the breather patch 8 on each bag may be faced in thesame or opposite directions. In this version of a double-walled, bagembodiment (also called a double-bag embodiment) 18, the first filteroccurs on a first, bag 101 which is placed within a second bag 102 whichsecond bag has its own filter. The result is an interior breather patch81 and an exterior breather patch 82 as best shown in FIGS. 9 and 15. Asillustrated in FIGS. 8-17, this version of the device 1 consists of onedouble-lined, double-filtered bag with three seals. The first seal 103secures the two bags together with a single, mutual seal at the bottomcreating a single receptacle for the respirating mass 9. The next seal104 closes the first, interior liner bag 101 with the mycelia and thefood source/growth substrate sealed therein. The final seal 105 closesthe second bag 102 around the first bag 101.

In the present invention, it is preferred that the breather patch belocated below the level of the respirating mass 9 when the device isinstalled as a system for carbon dioxide supplementation. Thus, althoughthe device 1 tends to float when submerged, the attachment mechanismholds the breather patch 8 below the water surface 19. Additionally, thesuspension of the respirating mass 9 above the level of the patch 8enhances the ability of the heavier carbon dioxide molecules to fall orsink and escape through the interior breather patch 81 and then theexterior breather patch 82. The benefits of the device are stillrealized even if the respirating mass 9 is situated below either or bothbreather patches 8 in the container as maybe visualized by FIGS. 5-17.

Turning to FIGS. 6 and 7 and FIGS. 12-17, the device further comprises aclip 2 and this clip includes a hooking hole 21 and a sealing slideclamp 22 (see, e.g., FIG. 14). The clip 2 can be selectively applied torestrict air flow to the organism through the breather patch 8 or torestrict release of CO₂. The clip 1 is also removable and formed to fiton the bag container 3 at various locations so that it may be reappliedin various locations, including between the respirating mass 9 andbreather patch 8 as shown for the double bag embodiment in FIG. 17 orover the breather patch 8 as shown in FIGS. 16.

The use of this underwater carbon dioxide delivery system may comprisesteps which include preparing a container having a gaseous exchangeportal as a growing environment for mycelia, sealing the container butfor the gaseous exchange portal, and placing the device underwater.

A method of supplementing carbon dioxide in an underwater environment isset forth with steps comprising acquiring a sealed container having acombination of a population of respirating organisms, a food source in agrowth substrate, and a waterproof gaseous access, and fastening thesealed container underwater. The method finds commercial applications asan attractant in aquatic traps for mosquitoes or insects. The methodalso finds commercial applications in the underwater environments suchaquariums. The method may further comprise the steps of placing thesealed container in a protective housing and/or replacing the sealedcontainer when the respirating organism stops producing carbon dioxide.

In summary, a unique way of supplementing carbon dioxide has beencreated. Unexpected positive results were experienced when thecontainer's gaseous exchange portal did not allow molecules of water topass into the sealed organism growing environment. Also unexpected wasthat the apparent gas exchange gradients permit oxygen into thecontainer where the respirating organism can access oxygen to survive.Survival of the organism results in the exhaling of carbon dioxide fromthe organism and then from the gaseous exchange portal of the sealedbag. As the carbon dioxide leaves the sealed container it flows into thewater reservoir holding the device and is then released into theatmosphere. While the product is utilizing natural processes, thosenatural processes are being placed in alien environments. Respiratingorganisms such as mycelia of the preferred embodiment do not typicallysurvive underwater. Food substrates for those organisms do not naturallyremain dry when submerged. The present invention is the commercialadaptation and utilization of naturally occurring respiration processesin order to provide a delivery device and system to supplement CO₂ in anunder environment without the need for electricity or the use ofcompressed CO₂. The preferred biological organism is the mycelium of theTurkey tail strain of fungus. It is vital that the gaseous interchangeportal allow for the exit of CO₂ into the underwater environment. Thedevice may also incorporate a separation device to delay and control theflow of CO₂. By separation device, an external seal in the form of aremovable clamping clip is intended. The external seal may beaccomplished by a specialized clip.

The system requires the device to be held in place through a securingpoint in the underwater environment. The minimum requirements for thedevice are described, but in certain instances it will be preferablyused in combination with an outer shell housing to protect oraesthetically conceal its placement underwater. The use of the presentdevice and system to supplement carbon dioxide in water will span manyindustries and applications. It particularly assists in attractingmosquitoes to water where the mosquitoes will lay eggs which can then bedestroyed. The carbon dioxide released by the present invention willalso supplement CO₂ in underwater growing environments like aquariumsholding plants or animals and aid in the growth of those plants and mayaid in the stabilization of the environment to the benefit of animals.

An external hard shell 10 will be desirable for some applications and insome environments. FIGS. 2 and 4 illustrate such an alternativeembodiment of the present invention. A bag with features such as thosediscussed above is used, but in this alternative embodiment the bag isplaced within a hard case 10. The exterior container or capsule aspectsof a hard-shell container 10 embodiments will be most desirable for someapplications. In certain instances, the capsule may be functional inorder to protect the device for longer periods of use in potentiallyadverse conditions such as rough waters where debris could puncture thebag, inhabited waters where curious animals may tear holes in the bag,or outdoor reservoirs where the bag may be exposed to elements such asthe sun or wind. This is particularly true where the single, soft-sidedcontainer is enclosing the mycelia which is then placed within the case.In other instances, a decorative case may be employed for aestheticreasons such as within a fish aquarium. Described in general terms, theinvention will comprise a soft-shelled bladder holding a mass oforganisms and food, a hard-shelled container receiving and protectingthe soft-shelled bladder, a minimum of one gaseous interchange portalbetween the body of water and the mass of organisms and food, whereinthe gaseous interchange portal prevents water and contaminants fromreaching the organisms and the food. The gaseous interchange portalpreferably occurs on the soft-shelled bladder. In the instance where thebladder has the gaseous interchange portal, then the hard-shelledcontainer needs to have at least one hole to allow the movement of waterand air between the soft-shelled bladder and the body of water. At leastthe portion of the device having the gaseous exchange features must besecured below the surface of the water. In the simplest of embodiments,the hard case functionality could be provided by a bucket placed overtop of the bag before the combination is placed in water.

Any organism that expels carbon dioxide and can survive in theconditions imposed by the confines of the present invention may beemployed. The organisms used in the ExHale® brand bags are suited to theenvironmental constraints described herein. Thus, mycelia, specificallymycelia of the white rot variety are preferred. Other organisms whichmay meet the objectives of the present invention include bacteria withlife cycles similar to mycelia.

In general terms, this underwater CO₂ production device can be used toenhance the underwater levels of carbon dioxide. The production of CO₂in an underwater environment will be used to benefit an underwaterenvironment by supplementing carbon dioxide utilized during thephotosynthesis cycles of aquatic plants. Aquatic plants, liketerrestrial plants, use the process of photosynthesis to draw in carbon,produce chlorophyll and release oxygen.

The process to create the double bag embodiment is partially illustratedby the flow chart of FIG. 18. During the preparation procedure, a user:

1) Selects two bags and, if they have an existing bottom seal, removesthe bottom seal such as by scissor cutting the seal from each bag.

2) Measures and trims each bag so that the long line of the outer bag102 is longer than the long line of the inner bag 101.

3) Inserts the inner (shorter) bag 101 inside the other (longer) bag 102in such a way that the filters 81 & 82 face opposite directions and withcare to insure the pleats of each bag lay smooth with one another andthe bottom ends are flush with one another.

4) Heat seals 103 the bottom of the two bags so that when sealed theybecome connected with one another by a single joint seal.

5) Partially fills the inner bag 101 with substrate: where this step andthe following steps 6-9 are prepared according to techniques such asthose described in U.S. Pat. No. 9,750,196 B2.

6) Steam sterilizes the combined bag unit at 250 degrees Fahrenheit forat least one hour and allows the unit to cool.

7) inoculates the substrate within the inner lined bag with sterilizedpure cultured mycelium or similar organisms.

8) Heat seals 104 the top of inner lined bag 101 above the filter 81.

9) Heat seals 105 the top of outer bag 102 above the filter 82 and abovethe top seal 104 on the inside bag 101.

10) Allows the mycelium 72 hours to recover from the transfer.

11) Attaches a securing device 2 (clip, hanger, separation seam, orother securing mechanism) (illustrated in FIGS. 6-7 and 12-17).

12) installs the device 18 in an underwater environment to provide CO₂for aquatic plants or for other purposes such as to attract insects,specifically mosquitoes (illustrated in FIGS. 1-3).

The double bag embodiment 18 such as the one described above meets theobjectives of the present invention as it reliably separates themycelium from the underwater environment and transfers carbon dioxide toan underwater environment as is established by the results of thefollowing test. The initial, ambient carbon dioxide levels in the areaimmediately adjacent to the water body prior to the placement of thedouble-bag embodiment 18 below the water was 503 parts per million(ppm). After the bag was placed in accordance with the present inventionsuch as is illustrated in FIG. 1, measurements of the carbon dioxidearound the water reservoir were taken over a 48-hour period. Latermeasurements at the same location showed that the carbon dioxide outputpeaked at around 667 ppm around 30 hours and then ended at around 640ppm after 48 hours.

Finally, in the most basic version of encasement for the presentinvention, the organisms producing carbon dioxide in the sealed,breather-patch-equipped container are placed under the water level andwithin a dome of air created when a bucket, serving as the hard case 10(in some instances opaque instead of transparent), is inverted over thecontainer and then submerged below water level. A bucket will containthe sealed, breather-patch-equipped container 3 inverted into areservoir 7 as shown in FIG. 2. In some embodiments, the hard case doesnot have a lid so there is no need for additional air holes but onlysome manner to secure the device under the water.

Testing has shown that the performance of the bag as disclosed in theprior applications is not adversely impacted by placement underwaterexcept that the ideal ranges of CO₂ supplementation and thus the life ofthe mycelia may be reduced from an average of 6 months to an average of3-5 months. The positive supplementation of CO₂ to a body of water orreservoir for a period of 3-5 months will cover the entiremosquito-breeding season in most climates.

Each embodiment of the present invention provides an all-naturalsolution that does not require regulators or the use of electricity. Thepresent invention provides CO₂ for the entire mosquito season, requiresno mixing or maintenance nor does it pose any fire danger.

The disclosure has focused on the use of this device underwater, but thedevice could be implemented in any artificial growing environments,including space. When extraterrestrial gardens or water reservoirs willneed carbon dioxide supplementation, the present invention should beimplemented.

Testing of the device showed increased levels of CO₂ in both underwaterconcentrations as well atmospheric concentrations above the surface ofthe water. For the tests performed, the following parameters wereimplemented: a 20 gallon receptacle was used with a 10 gallon waterreservoir inside. A CO₂ meter was placed outside the water reservoir,but inside the 20 gallon receptacle. A sealed lid was then placed on topof the 20 gallon receptacle to measure the CO₂ that was produced by thebag and released out of the water. Initial ambient atmospheric CO₂levels were measured and documented by hand before introducing thedevice remained fairly steady, within around +/−20 ppm. While ambientatmospheric CO₂ levels are known to typically range from 400-450 ppm,initial readings before beginning treatment in each test were between462 parts per million (ppm) and 484 ppm. Initial ambient levels ofaquatic CO₂ (CO₂ in the water between 3-5 parts per million (ppm).Repeated testing after 24 hours of placing the device underwater in anaquarium showed levels of aquatic CO₂ to be between 10-20 ppm. Repeatedtests show the CO₂ produced by the device and released from the waterinto the atmosphere resulted in increased levels of atmospheric CO₂ to550-1000 ppm. The tests proved that the CO₂ was exiting the filter andgoing into solution and then being released back into the atmosphere.

When using the present invention for underwater growing environments foraquatic plants or in such environments which will also hold fish orother sea life, the levels of other compounds and the effects on pH mustbe carefully monitored. Water with high KH (carbonate hardness) is ableto neutralize a lot more acid and will resist a drop in pH. The pH willremain more controlled when the KH is in the range of 160-180 ppm. Testswere conducted to ensure that the supplementation of CO₂ would notadversely impact these carefully balanced living environments. Thesetests support the hypothesis that supplementing CO₂ in controlledenvironments will show benefits to the system without adverselyaffecting other growing factors.

In the next phase of testing, the experiment set up had two aquariumsarranged with identical water and plant content. The carbon dioxideunderwater delivery device and supplementation system of the presentinvention was only installed in one tank. Overtime, this test measuredthe impact of the CO₂ supplementation on the growth of aquatic plants,in particular a water onion. In this experiment, an aquatic plant (awater onion bulb) was planted in a standard underwater growing mediumformula and placed underwater—one tank holding a water onion was givenonly standard aquarium ambient air supplementation of 0.4-0.7 BPS. Uponvisible germination, daily growth was tracked by photographiccomparisons. Day 1 growth of the water onion was compared. The growth ofthe water onion when the plant was placed in water treated by thepresent invention appeared more robust than the onion withoutsupplementation by the present invention. The next measurements for thistest were taken at Day 4 after visible growth. The growth of the wateronion at Day 4 when continuing to be grown in water treated by thepresent invention continued to be more robust than the growth of theplant in the unsupplemented water. The results of this test after 7 daysof growing in the respective environments showed that the growth of theonion plant in the treated water was more robust than the onion plan inthe unsupplemented water.

The double-bag implementation of the present invention is shown in thewater in the FIG. 1. In FIG. 3, the clip 2 is visible as is thedouble-bag container 18. The white squares above the clip 2 are thebreather patches 8. Above the breather patches is a mass. That masscomprises an organism that expels carbon dioxide. It is preferred thatthe ExHale® brand bag with delayed activation shown in FIGS. 5-7 is usedfor this invention. The ExHale® brand bag has a special mixture ofmycelia and a food substrate for that mycelia. In ExHale® brand bags themycelia have all of the food needed to feed and live for up to 6 months.In addition to food, mycelia require oxygen to survive. In demonstratingthe efficiency and preparation of this device, it has been establishedthat when this device is placed under the water, the mycelia are able toaccess the oxygen needed to survive through the breather patch of thepresent invention. The mycelial respiration is assisted if the water iscirculated at least once a day.

The inventors claim a method of supplementing carbon dioxide in anunderwater environment. Wherein the claimed method comprises the stepsof acquiring a sealed container having a combination of respiratingorganism, food source, and a waterproof gaseous access and thenfastening the sealed container underwater. Once secured underwater, themethod further calls for the use of the fastened container in anunderwater environment that is a mosquito trap or an aquarium. Accordingto the methods, the sealed container can be placed in a protectivehousing. Then, as the respirating organisms stop producing carbondioxide they can be replaced, and the container or shell reused.

The inventors also claim an underwater carbon dioxide delivery systemand supplementation system consistent with the objectives of the presentinvention. The novel system comprises the preparation of a container asa growing environment for mycelia where the container has a gaseousexchange portal and that container is sealed but for the gaseousexchange portal. That sealed container is then installed underwater in amanner to supply and supplement carbon dioxide to that underwaterenvironment.

It is further intended that any other embodiments of the presentinvention which result from any changes in application or method of useor operation, method of manufacture, shape, size, or material which arenot specified within the detailed written description or illustrationscontained herein and yet are considered apparent or obvious to oneskilled in the art, are within the scope of the present invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. An underwater carbon dioxide delivery devicecomprising: a sealed container, an organism placed within the sealedcontainer, a food substrate for feeding the organism mixed with theorganism in the sealed container, a breather patch located on the sealedcontainer, the breather patch having sufficient filtering capabilitiesto allow carbon dioxide molecules to leave the sealed container andoxygen molecules to enter the sealed container, the breather patchhaving sufficient filter capabilities to prevent whole water moleculesfrom entering the sealed container, an attachment mechanism, wherein theattachment mechanism secures the device in an underwater environment tosupplement carbon dioxide to the underwater environment; wherein thesealed container is surrounded by a hard-shell case; and wherein thehard-shell case further comprises venting holes.
 2. The device of claim1, wherein the device further comprises a clip.
 3. The device of claim 2wherein the clip serves as a selectively applied sealing device torestrict air flow to the organism through the breather patch.
 4. Thedevice of claim 2 wherein the clip cooperates with the attachmentmechanism.
 5. The device of claim 1, wherein the sealed containercomprises a single bag.
 6. The device of claim 1, wherein the sealedcontainer comprises a first bag layer and a second bag layer.
 7. Anunderwater carbon dioxide delivery device comprising: a double-bagcontainer sealed by at least two seals and having a first liner and asecond liner, an organism placed within the double-bag container, a foodsubstrate to feed the organism mixed with the organism in the double-bagcontainer, a first breather patch located on the first liner and asecond breather patch located on the second liner, each breather patchhaving sufficient filtering capabilities to allow carbon dioxidemolecules to leave the double-bag container and oxygen molecules toenter the double-bag container, each breather patch having sufficientfilter capabilities to prevent whole water molecules from entering thedouble-bag container, an attachment mechanism, wherein the devicesupplements carbon dioxide in an underwater environment when the deviceis installed in the underwater environment by the attachment mechanism.8. The device of claim 7, wherein three seals are provided.
 9. Thedevice of claim 8, wherein one seal is used to join the first liner andsecond liner at a mutual bottom seal.
 10. The device of claim 7, whereinthe first liner comprises a top seal separate from another top seal inthe second liner.